IWAN THOMAS must sweat it out before hearing whether he will be permitted by the International Amateur Athletic Federation to run over 400 metres at the World Championships in Edmonton.

The Netley-based runner finished second in the recent British trial race but could not be chosen automatically because he failed to record the qualifying standard of 45.72sec.

Instead the selectors picked Mark Richardson, Daniel Caines and Jamie Baulch when the final additions to the side were announced on Monday.

Unknown to Thomas, who wanted to prove a point to himself and so organised a race in last night's British Milers' Club meeting in Watford where he clocked 45.70secs to qualify for Edmonton, Caines withdrew on doctor's orders yesterday morning due to calf trouble.

That opened the door for the possible inclusion of Thomas as replacement for the World Indoor champion. But one obstacle still exists - the Welshman qualified a day late.

"The cut-off date for achieving the standard was midnight Tuesday," said Sandro Giovanelli, the competitions director of the IAAF.

"Really it is a decision which must be made by the technical committee for the World Championships.

"I am flying to Edmonton tomorrow and I will try and find out whether it is possible to include Thomas. I hope we can succeed and help him to get into the race."

Thomas admits he will sit on a knife-edge until hearing the verdict. Already UK Athletics have said they will try everything possible to have the Southampton ace accepted as a replacement for Caines.

Performance director Max Jones said last night before flying out to Canada: "It is entirely a decision for the IAAF. But I have already spoken to our people out in Edmonton making them aware of the situation. We will try our best to get Iwan into the race."

Thomas was delighted with what could be a massive change of luck in his career. After winning both the 1998 European and Commonwealth gold medals and the World Cup final that year he has been dogged by injury.

Chosen for the 4x400m relay team in Edmonton, Thomas felt it was important for his self respect he should have one last try at beating the qualifying mark. Now if everything works in his favour it will be one of the best ideas he has ever come up with.

Thomas said: "I could have sat back and done nothing. Actually when I organised the race I didn't know Daniel had pulled out. I only found out tonight.

"It hurt having gone so close to getting the qualifier on a couple of occasions in the last few weeks. I always knew I could do it. So I rang the BMC organisers and asked if they could put on a race.

"They told me if I could get another seven runners they would. I've got my training partners to thank for travelling up to Watford. They made it happen.

"I didn't think I was going to do it. On the last bend it was hurting real bad. It was a case of gritting the teeth and forcing myself forward. At first they said my time was 45.5sec. But when they checked the electronic timing it was confirmed as 45.70sec. I'm really chuffed."

Runner-up was Newham team-mate Paul Slythe in 47.14sec with Tim Bailey of Belgrave third in 47.52sec.